Tax Preparer salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Tax Preparers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $44,770 a year ($21.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,700 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $44,770. There are 0.67 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,760 | $19.11 |
| 25th percentile | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Median | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| 75th percentile | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,700 | $55.63 |
| Average (mean) | $65,360 | $31.42 |
Half of tax preparers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,730.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,865.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,721.92 |
| Weekly | $860.96 |
| Hourly | $21.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tax Preparer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $46,960 | 270 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $44,250 | n/a |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $37,680 | 50 |
| Yuma, AZ | $37,260 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for tax preparers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $71,850 |
| California | $70,030 |
| Utah | $66,720 |
| Montana | $63,080 |
| Missouri | $62,780 |
| Colorado | $62,620 |
| Alaska | $62,360 |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 |
| Oregon | $61,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 |
See Tax Preparer pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| Loan Officer | $61,850 | $29.73 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,680 | $49.85 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Credit Analyst | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Financial Examiner | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| Credit Counselor | $54,110 | $26.02 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,440 | $39.15 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,810 | $40.78 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $95,060 | $45.70 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,780 | $48.45 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $44,770 a year, or $21.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $115,700 a year. The top 25% earn $79,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,760 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $43,100 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 1,580 tax preparers are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.